"Really captures the mood, feeling, and spirit of the true classics of Death Metal"

As one of those guys that was around when metal of the heavy, thrash, death, grind, black, and just about every variety all hit for the first time, I can appreciate the life much of the new blood in all the scenes are interjecting, but it is rare that a new record comes out that really captures the mood, feeling, and spirit of the true classics of the genres. With They Rise, I am thrilled to tell you that Denial Fiend have done just that. Not surprising, considering the pedigree of the members. If you don't already know: Kam Lee (Death/Massacre) on vocals, Terry Butler (Death/Massacre/Six Feet Under) on bass, Curtis Beeson (Nasty Savage and the criminally-unknown US demo band Fester) on drums. On guitar is Sam Williams, a fella that may not have the resume of his band mates, but certainly steps up to the plate.

They Rise is a great, GREAT album. The tunes are immediately memorable, heavy, and well-executed. As catchy as the genre classics like Scream Bloody Gore and Mental Funeral, but with modern chops. There is a slight touch of the Misfits thrown in for good measure, with "GO! GO!" gang vocals and a campy lyrical approach on songs like "Son of the Creature From the Black Lagoon" and "Frankenstein Conquers the World," but things are also gorier and darker on "Ripped Inside Out." Death metal veered off into so many sub-genres since the olden days, with band after band vying to be the fastest, most brutal, most insane or disgusting and...as much as I love it, I have missed what They Rise delivers in spades: songs that are menacing but that have you singing along by the second chorus. Kam's "vokills," as he likes to call them, sound as good as they ever did. The band is solid. Great riffs, just enough groove, no blast beats. This is DEATH METAL in its purest form, and one of my favorite albums of the year, if not the past 5. All the grimy old metal heads like me can't go wrong. It's a full package...great cover art, great insert, and includes a bonus DVD with a little documentary on the band as well as the FL death metal scene. Don't download it, don't get a burn from a friend...go out and buy this monster now.

Maximum Metal Rating Legend - Click for Full Details

5

Excellent - Buy it and say a prayer to the metal gods
that you were tuned on to this masterpiece. A classic.

4-4.5

Great - Almost perfect records but there's probably a
clunker or a lacking somewhere to keep it from perfection. You won't feel bad about
dropping some bones on these.

3.5

Good - Most of the record is good, but there may be some
filler. This is the OK range where you'd search for the record on sale or used.

3

Average - Some good songs, some bad ones at about a
half/half ratio. Could show skills but be dull overall. Redeeming qualities for indy bands
are effort and passion. Majors that don't try or suck outright end up here.

2-2.5

Fair - Worth a listen, but best obtained by collectors.
There is much better metal out there.

1-1.5

Bad - Major problems with music, lyrics, production, etc.

0

Terrible or an otherwise waste of your life and time.

Note: Reviews are graded from 0-5, anything higher or not showing is from our old style.
Scores, however, do not reveal the important features. The written review that accompanies the ratings
is the best source of information regarding the music on our site. Reviewing is opinionated, not a
qualitative science, so scores are personal to the reviewer and could reflect anything from being
technically brilliant to gloriously cheesy fun.

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